Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Dashing Hopes, Study Shows a Cholesterol Drug Had No Effect on Heart Health
Experts were stunned by a study of 12,000 patients that showed the drug, evacetrapib, had no effect in preventing heart attacks, strokes or death from heart disease.
Hospital chain says system 90 percent back after cyberattack
MedStar Health says computer systems at its 10 hospitals are 90 percent back after a cyberattack.
Medicare spends billions on chronic kidney disease, study finds
HealthDay News Chronic kidney disease affects nearly 14 percent of Americans and costs Medicare billions of dollars a year, a new study reveals.
Ebola outbreak in West Africa no longer a global risk: WHO
West Africa's Ebola outbreak no longer constitutes a threat to international public health, the World Health Organization says.
Scientific secrets for successful aging?
Metabolites -- substances that are created during metabolism -- can provide a wealth of information about individual health, disease, diet, and life-style. Researchers and collaborators have now identified age-related differences...
Experts recommend policies to stem rising prescription drug costs
Experts call for changes that could slow the rising cost of prescription drugs. To address the complex factors at play, their paper offers a series of recommendations aimed at addressing...
Researchers assess accuracy of commercially available lab tests
An evaluation uncovers more variability than expected in basic blood tests of healthy adults. The study focused on common blood tests, which typically return a single data point or a...
New drug combinations could significantly improve tuberculosis treatment
An important step has been made toward a substantially faster and more effective treatment for tuberculosis, which infects some 10 million people and causes 1.5 million deaths each year.
Wearable defibrillator may be an alternative to ICD for some patients
A wearable automatic defibrillator may be an alternative to an implantable cardiac defibrillator for a small group of patients, say researchers. There are few large, randomized and controlled clinical trials...
Scientists find 'outlier' enzymes, potential new targets to treat diabetes, inflammation
Two enzymes have been discovered that appear to play a role in metabolism and inflammation--and might someday be targeted with drugs to treat type 2 diabetes and inflammatory disorders.
New target makes end run against therapy-resistant prostate cancer
Suppressing the nuclear receptor protein ROR-?; with small-molecule compounds can reduce androgen receptor (AR) levels in castration-resistant prostate cancer and stop tumor growth, scientists have found.
High out-of pocket costs limit access to lifesaving specialty drugs
Specialty drugs have become important treatment options for many serious and chronic diseases, and in some conditions like cancer they represent the only chance for long-term survival. But, insurers increasingly...
Vascular brain injury evident in people in their 40s
For the first time, a large study has shown that people as young as their 40s have stiffening of the arteries that is associated with subtle structural damage to the...
LAPD investigating death threat against Chris Paul's wife
Alex ButlerLOS ANGELES, March 28 (UPI) -- Although you might not be able to say a lot in 140 charters, Twitter can still be a dangerous place to speak.
Acupuncture might ease hot flashes for breast cancer patients
Alan Mozes, HealthDay News Acupuncture can help alleviate hot flashes afflicting many breast cancer patients, new Italian research says.
Old Vaccine, New Tricks: Revive Early Pertussis Shot, Study Says
Newer isn't always better — some researchers are proposing to bring back an older version of the whooping cough vaccine, because multiple studies show that today's version doesn't protect as...
World's senior population forecast to boom by 2050
HealthDay News The percentage of the world's population aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2050, a new report says.
GI tract bacteria help decrease stroke
Certain types of bacteria in the gut can leverage the immune system to decrease the severity of stroke, according to new research. This finding can help mitigate stroke -- which...
Needle Stuck in Woman's Heart Gives Her a Stroke
A woman suffered a stroke because of a needle that was lodged in the wall of her heart, according to a new report of her unusual case.
As crisis rages, hospital works to reduce opioids in the ER
PATERSON, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey hospital has launched an opioid-alternative program to cut down on the abuse of the drugs that...
New nanoparticle reveals cancer treatment effectiveness in real time
Being able to detect early on whether a cancer therapy is working for a patient can influence the course of treatment and improve outcomes and quality of life. However, conventional...
Drug company hikes price for end-of-life drug Seconal
Stephen FellerWASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- The cost of a fatal dose of the drug Seconal, often given to terminally ill patients as end-of-life care, increased from $200 to $3,000...
The race is on to develop Zika vaccine
Officials hope to avoid repeat of delayed response to Ebola epidemic.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2016.19634
Women Could Lower Fracture Risk with Mediterranean Diet
Skipping dairy doesn't raise your risk of hip fractures, a new study finds.
Suspected stomach flu in boy, 10, turns out to be eight swallowed magnets
Ben HooperOKLAHOMA CITY, March 28 (UPI) -- A 10-year-old Oklahoma boy was thought to be suffering from a stomach flu until an X-ray of his stomach revealed the cause of...
Experimental drug ALD403 prevents migraines in clinical trial
Stephen FellerBOTHELL, Wash., March 28 (UPI) -- The company Alder Biopharmaceuticals reports its drug ALD403 prevented migraines in those with chronic migraine during a three-month clinical trial.
Janice Dickinson reveals breast cancer diagnosis
Annie MartinNEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- Former "America's Next Top Model" judge Janice Dickinson assured fans she will persevere after revealing she has breast cancer.
Weight loss surgery beats diet at inhibiting breast cancer
Weight loss surgery was more effective than a low-fat diet at reversing the cancer-promoting effects of chronic obesity in mice.